Shortcodes are used to insert complicated or customized content into a page or post with minimal fuss. They usually look something like this:
[shortcodekeyword]
Sometimes they will have other information along with them like this:
[shortcodekeyword value='somevalue']
Since WordPress 2.5 the process of outputting shortcode has been simplified. Unfortunately it’s not posssible, out of the box, to use shortcodes in the sidebar text widgets. Enabling this feature is simple, though. Simply add the following line to the functions.php file in your active theme:
add_filter('widget_text', 'do_shortcode');
Of course, if the thought of adding code to your theme gives you hives you can always use this plugin: Sidebar Shortcodes
Sets selected text as bold.
Sets selected text as italicized.
Sets selected text as 
Sets selected text as 
Click on it and the toolbar will expand to display more formatting options.
A whole new world of formatting options are now open to you! Hover over each of the buttons in the toolbar has a tool tip that will give a hint as to it’s function when you hover over for a moment to get a general idea of what each one does. Some plugins will add buttons to the visual editor toolbar. We will be covering the buttons available in a basic installation of WordPress.
